The female sailor was below the rank of E-6, Dorsey said. The investigation into their relationship began Dec. 12 and ended Jan. 3.

Dean has been reassigned to Naval Surface Force Atlantic. His replacement has not been determined, according to the release.

Dean became command master chief of Cole in March 2011. He enlisted in 1986 and previously served as the senior enlisted leader at Naval Special Warfare Development Group, as well as senior enlisted adviser to former Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, then the head of Joint Special Operations Command in Ramadi, Iraq, according to his official biography.

Ashore, he served with Naval Security Group Activity Winter Harbor, Maine, Naval Security Group Norfolk, Va., and as tactical cryptologic support to SEAL Teams 2, 4 and 10.

His awards include a Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal with “V” device, six Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and a Presidential Unit Citation, according to his Navy personnel records.

Dean also received a “cryptologist of the year” award in 2011 from the Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association.